Harry cross



' H. CROSS..

- SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 192! Reissued Sept. 20, 1921. 1 5, 1 97.

UNITED STA RAB-BY CROSS, OI WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS.

snocx-ansoannn Specification of Reissued Letters Patent.

Reissued Sept. 20, 1921.

We] Io. 1,886,850, dated DcoemberiSO, 1819, Serial No. 327,877, filed October 2, 1919. Application (or reissue filed June 23,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY Cnoss, a citizen of the United States, formerly aresident of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and Dominion of Canada, and now a resident of Woodstock, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock-Absorbers, of which the following is a full, clear. concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanging drawings, forming a part of this speci cation.

This invention relates to shock-absorbers and it is particularly designed to be used in connection with automobiles, although it is not to be restricted to such use.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved shock absorber, havm means for controlling the movement or vi rations of the spring-supported body of a vehicle relative to the running gear of the sa which does not affect the action of the vehi e springs in com ressin'g, but prevents, as much as possible, t e rebound or upward movement of the body of the vehicle which is extremely uncomfortable to the occupants of the iehicle, and is severe on the springs, oftentimes causing them to become broken.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, effective in operation, strong, durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other ob'ects and advantages of the invention wil be a parent during the course of. the following escription.

vIn the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are em loyed to designate like parts throughout t e same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the manner of attaching my improved shock absorber to a spring-supported vehicle.

Fig. 2 isa horizontal section taken on line' 2-2 of Fig. 3.

I Fig. 3:-i s a side elevation of, the device constructedin accordance with my invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, indicates a portion 1921. Serial No. 479,925.

of the automobile .frame which is carried on the usual springs S and axle A, and with wh1ch my improved shock absorbing device '18 associated.

In carrying out my invention I employ a casing or housing 1 which is provided with a friction track over which a belt or strap 2 is adapted to slide. One end of the belt 2 is secured to a drum for rotation within the casing 1 and is adapted to wind or cause the belt to be wound thereon. Such action of the drum 3 is caused by a coiled spring 4 which is arranged m a novel manner in The other end of the band 2 is connected to a clamping member or bracket 5 carried by the axle A. I also employ novel means 6 to adjust the tension of the spring 4.

3 which is mounted the casing.

The casing or housing 1 is preferably semi-oval-shaped in configuration and includes a plate 7 which has a flange 8 extendmg outwardlytherefrom. A'portion of this flange forms a friction track 9 over which the belt 2 slides. 3 and extending in the same direction as the flange 8 is, a centrally disposed sleeve or hub 10 around which the spring 4 is disposed. Thi's hub serves to prevent, as much Cast integral with drum 7 as possiblei1 wiggling or side motion of the drum whic might otherwise occur. V

In order to adjust the tension of the spring 4, I employ spring tightening arm, or wrench, 6 which is carried by a pin 11 loosely fitted pin 11 may be of any other construction I preferably make it cylindrical and extend one end of it beyond the end of the sleeve 10 in which it revolves. The inner end of the in the hub 10. Although the spring tightening arm 6 isqirovided with a square aperture which fits over the reduced square end 12 of the pin 11 and permits the pin to be rotated in the sleeve ll) when the member 6 is moved in a rotary direction.

The op osite or outer end of the arm 6 is detacha 1y secured to the friction flange 9 by'means of screws 13. The spring 4 has one of its ends hooked or anchored around a pin 14 projecting from the drum 3 and the other end is connected to a lateral projection or lug 15 carried b the pin 11. Hence, it will be seen that w en the arm 6 is rotated from left to right the spring will be wound tighter. audit is in this manner that the tension of saidspring is adjusted.

The free end of the belt fl may be anchored in any suitable manner. such as for instance, by a clamping membm' or bracket 5 of a construction which may be readily attached to and detached from the axle of the vehicle.

In order to prevent and guard against the entrance of mud and dirt into the aforesaid parts. I employ a cover 16 which is attached in position by means of screws IT which fit in holes '18 drilled in the casing l.

The whole device is secured to the frame F by means of bolts 19 which pass through openings in the cover It) and through openings 20 in casing l, as shown.

"lvhen the car encounters an uneven place in the road the spring A and the frame 1* will be brought closer together. 'hen this occurs. the belt 2 will become slack and by the action of thea'oiled spring 4 on the drum 3 the belt will be caused to wind thereon. ()n the il'nmediatc rebound or separation of the spring from the frame. the belt will be placed under tension and a braking action exerted thereon.thereby preventing a quick or sudden rebound of the vehicle body. Tn other words. when the spring 3 and frame I separate. the belt 2 is drawn over the friction track 5) and is also subjected to the action of the spring 4. thus resulting in retardii'igthe movement of the belt and preventing the upward throw of the vehicle body. which is objectimrable to the occupants of the ear and oftentin'ics injurious to the springs. it is not intended however. that this device interfere in any way with the coin- 'n'essing of the vehicle spring. it bein only desired to prevent. as much as possible. the rebound of the vehicle body. 1

One of the salient features of the present invention resides in the fact that the-drum' or wheel I is mounted for rotation within the curve of a semi-r a] shaped friction track 9. This arrangeim-nt enables me to minimize the height of that part of the dc vice which comprises the drum and friction track. this lwing a feature of marked advantage because the height of the spaces on automobile frames to which shock absorbers mav be applied is often. and in fact usually.

very limited.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same. and that various changes in the shape. size and arrangement of parts may he resorted to without departing from the spirit" of the invention or the scope of the sub joined claims. I

Having thus described my invention. what I claim is:

l..ln a shock absorber for a vehicle. a

.mounted in said sleeve. said pin having one of its ends projecting beyond said sleeve. a

' spring tightenii'ig arm carried by s id xtended portion of the pin. the outer end of said arm being dctachably secured to the friction track. one end of said spring being anchored to the drum and the other end to the pin whereby when the spring tightening arm is" rotated the tcnsiou of the spring is adjusted. a belt secured to said drum, said belt being adapted to slide over the friction track. and means for anchoringtlie other end of said belt to the vehicle. I i

2. In a shock absorber. a cz'isiuginchuling a friction track. a hub in said casing, a drum in said casing. a pin in said hub. a coiled springsurrounding said hub. an arm fixed to and extending laterally from said pin and anchored in said casing. a belt secured at: one of its ends to said drun the opposite end thereof extending over the friction track in the casing. and means for anchoring the free end of the belt to an axle substantially as set forth. v

5. In a shock absorber for a vehicle. a semi oval-shaped casing incbuling it.plate having a flange extending outwardly therefrom 'a portion of said flange serving as a friction track. a drum having a centrally disposed hub cast integral therewith, a spring anchoring pin in said'druin adjacent the hub. a pin loosely mounted in saidhulral'ul' extending beyond one end thereof. the extremity 'of said loosely mounted pin being reduced. 21' lug o n the extended portion of said loosely mounted pin. a coiled spring surrounding said hub and said loosely mount'ed pin. one end of said spring being secured tosaid anchoring pin in the drum, the opposite end being fastened to the lug on said loosely mounted pin. a spring tightening arn'i secured to the -rcduced extremity of said losely mounted pin. the opposite end of said arm being detachably secured to said friction track. a belt having one of its ends secured to said drmn. the opposite end being slidable over said friction track, and means to anchor the free end of said beltto a part; of the vehicle. t

4. A shock, absorber for a vehicle body supporting spring comprising: a pair of members forming means of attachment to the vehicle parts between which the spring is interposed. a frictionstrap' extending be tween said attachment members. a semi-oval friction surface carried by one of said mem-. bers. a rotatable drum a so carried by said last mentioned member and lying within the curve of the elliptical friction surface, said friction strap passing over said semi-oval friction surface and having one end' attached to the drum, and a sprin associated with said drum and exerting tiereon a rotative torque tending to wind the friction strap thereon.

5. A shock absorber for a vehicle body supporting spring comprising in combina tion the following elements: a pair of members forming means of attachment to the vehicle parts between which the spring is interposed, a friction strap extending between the said members, a curved friction surface carried by one of said members, a rotatable drum also carried by said last mentioned member and mounted for rotation within the curve of said friction surface, said strap passing over said friction'surface and having one end attached to the drum, a spring associated with said drum and exerting on said drum a rotative torque tending l to wind the friction strap on said drum, ant means for adjusting the tension of said spring without disassociating the drum from the friction strap or friction surface.

6. A shock absorber for a vehicle body supporting spring comprising: a curved friction track, a drum disposed within the curve of the friction track, means whereon said drum is mounted for rotation in the position stated, a friction strap passing over said friction track and having one end attached to the drum, a coiled s ring having one end fixed with respect to 't e drum and its other end fixed with respect to the afore said means whereon the drum is mounted, and a device normally locking the means whereon the drum ismonnted against rotation, said means whereon the drum is mounted, when unlocked, being capable of rotation to adjust the tension of said spring.

7. A shock absorber for a vehicle body supporting spring comprising: a curved friction track. a drum disposed within the curve of said friction track, a pivot pin whereon said drum is mounted for rotation in the position stated, said pin being capable of rotary movement, means normally locking said pin against rotary movement, a coiled spring disposed around said pivotpin and having one end. thereof fixed with res not to the drum and its other end fixed to the pivot )in, and a friction strap passing over said friction track and having one end attached to said drum.

8. A shock absorber for a vehicle body supporting spring comprising: a member adapted to be secured to one of the vehicle parts between which the vehicle spring is interposed, a curved friction track fixed to said member, a drum pivot jonrnaled in said member and'disposed in the curve of said friction track, a drum mounted on said drum pivot for rotary movement relative thereto, a friction strap extending over said friction track and having one end attached to the 'wrench cooperating drum, a coiled spring having one end thereof bearing against means fixed with respect to the drum and its other end bearing against the drum pivot, and detachable locking means normally preventing rotation; of the drum pivot with respect to the inember wherein it is journaled.

normally to prevent rotation of the pin relative to the casing, and a friction stra secured at one of its ends to "the drum ant extending over the friction track.

10. In a shock absorber, a member adapted to be fixed to one of a pair of vehicle parts between which a vehicle spring is interposed, a curved friction track carried by said member, a pivot pin disposed within the curve of said friction track and ba ting one of its ends journaled for rotation in the first mentioned member, a bearing for the other end of the pin, the pin being incapable of rotation in said last mentioned bearing, de-

tachable means for securing said last mentioned bearing to thefirst mentioned member, a drum mounted on said pivot pin, a coiled spring having one end operatively associated with the drum and its other end -operatively associated with the pivot pin, and

a friction strap passing over said friction track and having one end thereof attached to said drum.

11 In a shock absorber, a member adapted to be fixed to one of a pair of vehicle parts between which a vehicle spring is interposed, a curved friction track carried by said member, a pivot pin disposed within the curve of'said friction track and having one of its ends journaled for rotation in the first mentioned member, the other end of the pivot pin being of polygonal cross section, a with said last mentioned end of the pivot pin, detachable means for connecting said wrench to the first mentioned member to prevent rotation of the pivot pin, a drum mounted on said pivot pin, a coiled sprin having one end operati'vely associated with the pivot pin, and a friction strap passing over said friction track and havlng one end thereof attached to said drum.

12. A shock absorber comprising a member adapted to be fixed to one of a pair of vehicle parts between which a vehicle spring is interposed, a friction track carried by sai member, a pivot pin having one end journaled in said member and provided at its other end with a laterally extending arm, de-

m tllk'htlble means normally securing said arm to said first n'ientioned member to prevent rotation of the pivot pin, a drum mounted on the pivot pin, a, friction strap attached tosaid drum and passing over said friction truck, and a boiled spring, interposed between the drum and pivot pin, said arm when detached from the! first mentioned member 's'ervingns a means for adjusting the tension of 331d spring. 10

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 11th day of June, 1921.

HARRY CROSS. \Vitnesses:

' C. L. QUINLAN,

E. F. Fons. 

